The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has insisted that the party has only one legitimate leadership and one clear direction, dismissing rival groups as impostors sponsored to create confusion.
In an exclusive interview with Elanza News correspondent Nahum Sule, Alhaji Ibrahim Abba Sale, who chairs the PDP in Taraba State, declared that the party remains fully prepared for the 2027 general elections, despite recent defections and internal disputes.
INEC-Recognised Leadership Only
Sale asserted that the PDP leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—chaired by Alhaji Abdurahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary—remains the sole legitimate structure.
“INEC has recognised our activities. This is the PDP,” he said. He confirmed that the party successfully conducted primary elections for the House of Representatives, Senate, State Assembly, governorship, and presidency, all without rancour.
Defectors Will Regret Leaving, Says Chairman
Responding to concerns over mass defections, Sale insisted the PDP remains strong in Taraba. “Taraba is PDP, no matter who left,” he said. He claimed that elected officials who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) now regret their decision, but it is “too late to cry when the head has already been cut off.”
He added: “Come 2027, Tarabans who are deeply rooted in the PDP will vote for the party again. We will reclaim our mandate.”
‘No Crisis, No Faction’
Sale rejected claims of a national crisis or rival factions, describing the so-called Turaki-led group as mere dramatists without INEC recognition. He cited a Supreme Court judgment that he said nullified the November 2025 convention in Ibadan and settled all leadership disputes.
“The court is not Father Christmas, handing out judgments arbitrarily,” he said. “Only the ignorant can claim otherwise.”
He accused the Turaki group of being bankrolled by a paymaster to distract the real PDP. He also noted that neither Governor Bala Mohammed nor Governor Seyi Makinde—both associated with the group—remain in the PDP, having moved to the APM.
Jonathan Refused to Join ‘Confusion’
Sale further claimed that the Turaki group had attempted to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate, but Mr Jonathan declined to attend their gathering and instead congratulated the PDP’s official candidate.
“Fortunately, Goodluck Jonathan is not as foolish as they are,” Sale said. “They are only there to create confusion.”
Taraba Governor Accused of Poor Performance
The chairman also accused the Taraba State Governor, who defected to the APC, of failing to perform and using federal backing to seek re-election. “The people are wiser now. Nobody can intimidate us with federal might,” he said.